The Philippine Madrigal Singers performing in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara (Embassy photo)
30 May 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara hosted KALAYAAN 127, a diplomatic reception and special concert in commemoration of the 127th Anniversary of Proclamation of Philippine Independence and closing of the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Türkiye, on 29 May 2025 at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Altındağ, Ankara.
In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Türkiye H.E. Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. honored and remembered the sacrifices of our forefathers in celebration of the freedom that the Philippines and the Filipino people currently enjoy. He also described the event as the culminating night for the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of ties between the Philippines and Türkiye. “Music has been the recurring theme for our commemoration of our strong and robust diplomatic ties with Türkiye,” said the Ambassador as he recounted the two concerts last year for the milestone celebration. “The Philippines is proud to be Türkiye’s oldest diplomatic partner in Southeast Asia,” the Ambassador further said.
The Ambassador and his spouse, Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, warmly welcomed over 250 guests to a cocktail reception at the museum grounds. Deputy Minister for Defense Bilal Durdalı graced the event as the guest of honor from the Turkish government.
The guests, composed of members of the diplomatic community, Turkish government officials, members of the academe, and friends of the Philippines, were invited inside the Stone Artifacts Hall of the museum for the special concert of the internationally-acclaimed Philippine Madrigal Singers (The Madz) with Choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.
The Madz started the evening with soothing and prayerful melodies of “The Prayer of St. Francis,” “O Sacrum Convivium,” “Sanctus,” and “Spaséñiye, sodélal.” They ended their first set with Benedict Sheehan’s, “In the Wondrous Blending of Sounds” and Ryan Cayabyab’s “Paraiso.”
The Madz demonstrated their talent and the versatility of Filipinos during the second part of the concert. The group sang several international songs, including a Russian song, “Zoriu byut,” a medley of Indian songs, “Ghoomar,” “Ekla Cholo Re,” “Navrai Majhi,” and “Bumbro,” a Macedonian song, “Makedonska Humoreska,” a Lebanese song, “Aatini al-nāy wa ghanni”, and a Turkish song, “Dosluğa Davet.” The Madz sang an Ilocano song, “O Naranniag A Bulan,” and a medley of three beloved Filipino songs in “Isang Bansang Mapayapa.”
During the encore, they surprised the crowd with their rendition of “Pinoy Ako, Proud Ako” composed by Ambassador Bensurto. They also sang “Circle of Life” from Lion King. For their final song, The Madz performed “Kumukutikutitap” together with a video recording of the composer, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, conducting the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality City Orchestra during the SPARK*CONNECT*EMPOWER: A Friendship Concert held on 13 December 2024.
After the concert, guests were given souvenir tote bags with the 75th logo design and a photo of the Chocolate Hills from Bohol. The tote bags contained Oishi snacks: Cracklings, ube-flavored Pillows, and prawn crackers, Cebu-brand dried mangoes and young coconut chunks, and coconut sugar sachets.
As part of the year-long celebration of the 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Türkiye, the Embassy organized two concerts in 2024. The first one was on June 12, a Diplomatic Reception and Special Concert featuring Filipino artists, The Nightingales, and violinist Joseph Brian Cimafranca. The festivities continued with the friendship concert between Philippine and Turkish artists on December 13, featuring Philippine National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and International Concert Pianist Dr. Abelardo Galang II with the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality City Orchestra. The special concert of the multi-awarded Philippine Madrigal Singers officially concluded the milestone year.
The event was made possible through the Embassy’s partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, led by Consul General Shirlene C. Mananquil, the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Cultural Diplomacy (OCD), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Office of the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché in Ankara (ODAFA-Ankara), and our product sponsors, Coco Natura, Liwayway Marketing Corporation, and Profood International Corporation. END.
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. welcoming Guest of Honor Turkish Deputy Minister for Defense Bilal Durdalı (Embassy photo)
(L-R) Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr., Turkish Deputy Minister for Defense Bilal Durdalı, and Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto at KALAYAAN 127 (Embassy photo)
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. giving his remarks during KALAYAAN 127 (Embassy photo)
Deputy Minister for Defense Bilal Durdalı giving his message as Guest of Honor (Embassy photo)
The Madz performing in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara (Embassy photo)
